COVINGTON, Ga. - The Alcovy Judicial Circuit Grant Funded Day Reporting Center graduated 10 individuals from its comprehensive program on Monday, July 15 at the Newton County Historic Courthouse.

The DRC program “provides select probationers and parolees with opportunities to change criminal thinking and behavior through a combination of counseling, educational programming and close supervision,” according to the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. The program targets substance abuse, mental health and restitution payments.

Jeannine Fellows, Alcovy DRC graduate, stood in front of her fellow graduates, family and friends and shared her journey.

Fellows stated that she had been a “hot mess” before enrolling into the comprehensive program. She recalled having the “fake it until you make it” mindset when she first enrolled; however, she soon realized that she had to put in the work to successfully complete the program. 

Fellows was grateful to those who helped her towards sobriety.

“My life has changed in so many wonderful ways in a very short time,” Fellows said. 

Before Fellows concluded her speech, she added, “I can’t imagine living life any other way than clear-minded and sober.”

Fellows graduated alongside Triya Roberts, Heather McCullough, Christian Hedrick, Matthew Gunter, Jon Wells, Emma Owens, Frankie Partee, Katie Mathis and William Branham. 

Dawn Corbin, coordinating chief community supervision officer, reminded each graduate that “it doesn’t matter how far you go in the wrong direction, you can always turn around” during her closing remarks before family and friends of the graduates enjoyed cake and refreshments. She added, “Each of you made that turn and are headed in the right direction.”